Summarise this page 13 key points · 1 minute
- Why does this coast have so many Blue Flags?Paralimni had 14 Blue Flag beaches and Ayia Napa 13 on the July 2026 CYMEPA list, the most of any municipalities.
- The 10 best beaches in Ayia Napa and Protaras at a glanceAll ten picks, from Nissi to Agia Triada, flew a 2026 Blue Flag, each suited to different needs such as families, snorkelling or accessibility.
- 1. Nissi BeachNissi is the area's most famous party beach, 600 metres of golden sand with shallow, calm water, 3.3 km west of Ayia Napa centre.
- 2. Makronissos BeachMakronissos offers three quieter sandy bays about 5 km from Ayia Napa, next to the Makronissos Tombs, and is fully accessible with a floating wheelchair.
- 3. Landa BeachLanda is a large, calm sandy bay about 4 km west of the centre, ideal for families and fully accessible with a floating wheelchair.
- 4. Vathia Gonia BeachVathia Gonia is a small, sheltered cove about 400 metres from Nissi, with a Seatrac giving wheelchair users autonomous sea access.
- 5. Agia Thekla BeachAgia Thekla is a natural 300-metre beach in a Natura 2000 area about 6.5 km west of Ayia Napa, fully accessible on the 2026 list.
- 6. Ammos tou KambouriAmmos tou Kambouri is a quiet, mostly rocky 100-metre beach about 2 km east of the centre, handy to combine with the sea caves.
- 7. Pernera Beach (Ayia Napa) and MUSANPernera is the shore for MUSAN, with 93 underwater sculptures at 8–10 metres deep, visited by booking through partner diving schools.
- 8. Konnos BayKonnos Bay is a secluded 200-metre sandy bay about 4 km east of Ayia Napa, reached through pine trees and great for snorkelling.
- 9. Fig Tree Bay (Protaras Beach)Fig Tree Bay in Protaras suits families and couples, has an islet you can swim to and is quietest early in the morning.
- 10. Agia Triada BeachAgia Triada in Paralimni has a small fishing harbour, a chapel, and both a Seatrac and a floating wheelchair on the 2026 list.
- Practical tips for Ayia Napa and Protaras beachesLifeguards work April to October at all ten beaches, Seatrac and floating wheelchairs are free, and you should take rubbish home from protected areas.
Quick answer
The best beaches in Ayia Napa and Protaras in 2026 are Nissi, Makronissos, Landa, Vathia Gonia, Agia Thekla, Ammos tou Kambouri and Pernera on the Ayia Napa side, Konnos Bay on the boundary, and Fig Tree Bay and Agia Triada in Protaras. All ten were on the July 2026 Blue Flag list, and the organised beaches have lifeguards from April to October.
- Paralimni (14) and Ayia Napa (13) held 27 of Cyprus's 46 Blue Flag beaches in July 2026, more than half the island's total.
- Paralimni had the most Blue Flag beaches of any municipality in Cyprus in 2026.
- Famagusta district had 16 of the 25 Blue Flag beaches with facilities for people with mobility difficulties.
- Fig Tree Bay is named after a single fig tree that has stood there since the 17th century.
- MUSAN, the underwater sculpture museum off Pernera beach in Ayia Napa, has 93 sculptures at a depth of 8–10 metres.
The coast from Ayia Napa to Protaras is the Blue Flag capital of Cyprus: in July 2026 the two municipalities held 27 of the island's 46 flags. Choosing ten is hard, so we have mixed the famous bays with quieter coves, using the facilities confirmed by Visit Cyprus and the Deputy Ministry of Tourism.
Why does this coast have so many Blue Flags?
On the CYMEPA list reported in July 2026, Paralimni (which includes Protaras) had 14 Blue Flag beaches, the most of any municipality, and Ayia Napa had 13. Famagusta district also had 16 of the 25 Blue Flag beaches with facilities for people with mobility difficulties, and Ayia Napa Marina is one of only two Blue Flag marinas in Cyprus. Nissi Beach hosted the national Blue Flag ceremony on 11 June 2026. For the full list by district, see our Blue Flag beaches guide.
The 10 best beaches in Ayia Napa and Protaras at a glance
| # | Beach | Area | Blue Flag 2026 | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nissi | Ayia Napa | Yes | Atmosphere, shallow water |
| 2 | Makronissos | Ayia Napa | Yes | Quieter bays, history |
| 3 | Landa | Ayia Napa | Yes | Families, calm water |
| 4 | Vathia Gonia | Ayia Napa | Yes | Seatrac, sheltered swim |
| 5 | Agia Thekla | Sotira / Ayia Napa | Yes | Nature, coastal path |
| 6 | Ammos tou Kambouri | Ayia Napa | Yes | Small and quiet |
| 7 | Pernera (MUSAN) | Ayia Napa | Yes | Snorkelling and diving |
| 8 | Konnos Bay | Ayia Napa–Paralimni boundary | Yes | Snorkelling, scenery |
| 9 | Fig Tree Bay | Protaras | Yes | Families, swim to the islet |
| 10 | Agia Triada | Paralimni | Yes | Accessibility, fishing harbour |
1. Nissi Beach
Why it made the list: a popular party beach and the area's most famous, 600 metres of fine golden sand in a natural bay, with shallow, calm water sheltered from the wind.
Where it is: 3.3 km west of Ayia Napa centre. It is named after the small island ("nissi" in Greek) just offshore.
Facilities: sunbeds, umbrellas, toilets, changing rooms, water sports, beach bars, a diving school and car parking. Lifeguards from April to October. Disabled access is available, and the 2026 list rates Nissi as partially accessible.
Who it suits: young crowds and anyone who likes music, beach parties and a lively scene.
2. Makronissos Beach
Why it made the list: a cluster of three bays of fine golden sand and crystal-clear water, which Cyprus Mail picks as a quieter option.
Where it is: about 5 km from Ayia Napa centre. Part of the area lies within a Natura 2000 site, and the Makronissos Tombs archaeological site is next to the beach.
Facilities: sunbeds, umbrellas, toilets, changing rooms, water sports and car parking. Lifeguards from April to October. Fully accessible with a floating wheelchair on the 2026 list.
Who it suits: couples and families who want space, and anyone curious about the tombs.
3. Landa Beach
Why it made the list: a large natural bay of fine golden sand and calm, clear water; the name is said to mean "pond" in the local dialect.
Where it is: about 4 km west of the centre, halfway between Nissi and Makronissos, on the coastal footpath.
Facilities: sunbeds, umbrellas, toilets, changing rooms, water sports and car parking. Lifeguards from April to October. Fully accessible with a floating wheelchair. A picnic site is nearby.
Who it suits: families with children.
4. Vathia Gonia Beach
Why it made the list: a small, sheltered sandy cove with clear, calm water and a Seatrac for autonomous sea access.
Where it is: about 2.2 km west of the centre and around 400 metres from Nissi. A pedestrian path runs to Ayia Napa harbour one way and Makronissos the other.
Facilities: sunbeds, umbrellas, toilets, changing rooms, water sports and car parking. Lifeguards from April to October.
Who it suits: wheelchair users and anyone who wants Nissi's water without Nissi's crowds.
5. Agia Thekla Beach
Why it made the list: a natural 300-metre beach inside a Natura 2000 protected area, named after the saint whose carved temple and white church stand nearby.
Where it is: about 6.5 km west of Ayia Napa centre (listed under Sotira on the accessible beaches list). A path leads to the fishing harbour of Potamos tou Liopetriou.
Facilities: sunbeds, umbrellas, toilets, changing rooms, water sports and car parking. Lifeguards from April to October. A wheelchair at the lifeguard tower helps people enter the sea; fully accessible on the 2026 list.
Who it suits: nature lovers and walkers using the coastal path. See our Sotira area guide.
Map it · Driving route
Ayia Napa's western beaches by car
- Agia Thekla Beach
- Makronissos Beach
- Landa Beach
- Nissi Beach
- Vathia Gonia Beach
Opens Google Maps with every stop in order. Opening hours can change, so check before you go.
6. Ammos tou Kambouri
Why it made the list: a small, quiet beach of about 100 metres between the Ayia Napa sea caves and Limnara beach.
Where it is: about 2 km east of the centre.
Facilities: sunbeds, umbrellas, toilets, changing rooms, water sports and car parking. Lifeguards from April to October. Mostly rocky, with a central patch of fine golden sand.
Who it suits: swimmers who prefer a small, quiet beach with clear water, and anyone combining a swim with the sea caves.
7. Pernera Beach (Ayia Napa) and MUSAN
Why it made the list: the shore for MUSAN, the Museum of Underwater Sculpture, with 93 works by Jason deCaires Taylor at a depth of 8–10 metres, about 200 metres offshore.
Where it is: Pernera beach in Ayia Napa, not to be confused with Pernera in Paralimni-Protaras. Pernera is on Ayia Napa's 2026 Blue Flag list.
Facilities: visits to the museum are booked through partner diving schools for snorkellers and divers, according to Cyprus Mail's guide from its 2021 opening. Current prices and beach facilities are not published on an official page, so check with the diving schools.
Who it suits: snorkellers and divers. See our boat trips and snorkelling guide.
8. Konnos Bay
Why it made the list: a small, secluded 200-metre bay with fine golden sand and calm, clear water, reached by a path through pine trees.
Where it is: about 4 km east of Ayia Napa on the road to Protaras, on the boundary between Ayia Napa and Paralimni, next to Cape Greco National Forest Park.
Facilities: sunbeds, umbrellas, toilets, changing rooms, water sports, a beach bar and car parking. Lifeguards from April to October.
Who it suits: snorkellers and anyone who wants a scenic swim. Combine it with our Cape Greco guide.
9. Fig Tree Bay (Protaras Beach)
Why it made the list: fine golden sand and crystal-clear water, named after a single fig tree that has stood here since the 17th century.
Where it is: Protaras, part of Paralimni municipality.
Facilities: sunbeds, umbrellas, toilets, changing rooms, water sports and car parking. Lifeguards from April to October. A floating wheelchair at the lifeguard tower helps people enter the sea; fully accessible on the 2026 list.
Who it suits: families and couples. Cyprus Mail notes a small islet you can swim to, and the bay is quietest early in the morning. See our Protaras area guide.
10. Agia Triada Beach
Why it made the list: fine golden sand in quaint surroundings, with a small fishing harbour and the chapel of Agia Triada that gives the beach its name.
Where it is: Paralimni, within a busy resort area.
Facilities: sunbeds, umbrellas, toilets, changing rooms, water sports and car parking. Lifeguards from April to October. It has both a Seatrac and a floating wheelchair on the 2026 list.
Who it suits: wheelchair users and anyone staying in Paralimni. Kapparis, which Visit Cyprus calls the furthest coastal strip of the area, is covered in our Kapparis area guide.
Map it · Driving route
From Ayia Napa to Protaras by car
- Ammos tou Kambouri
- Konnos Bay
- Fig Tree Bay
- Agia Triada Beach
Opens Google Maps with every stop in order. Opening hours can change, so check before you go.
Practical tips for Ayia Napa and Protaras beaches
- Lifeguard season: April to October at all ten beaches, according to Visit Cyprus. Shifts end in the late afternoon.
- Accessibility: Seatrac and floating wheelchairs are free to use; ask the lifeguard.
- Sunbed prices were not published on the official pages we checked at the time of writing (October 2026).
- Protected areas: Makronissos and Agia Thekla sit in Natura 2000 areas, and Konnos borders the national forest park. Take your rubbish home.
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GetYourGuideFrequently asked questions
Which is the best beach in Ayia Napa?
Nissi Beach is the best known: 600 metres of fine golden sand in a sheltered bay with shallow, calm water. For a quieter day, Makronissos, Landa or Vathia Gonia have the same Blue Flag standards with less of a party scene.
Which beach in Protaras is best for families?
Fig Tree Bay and Agia Triada. Both have lifeguards from April to October, sunbeds and toilets, and Cyprus Mail recommends Fig Tree Bay for families, with an islet you can swim to.
Where can you snorkel in Ayia Napa and Protaras?
Konnos Bay is recommended by Cyprus Mail for snorkellers, and MUSAN, the underwater sculpture museum off Pernera beach in Ayia Napa, can be visited by snorkellers and divers through partner diving schools.
Which Ayia Napa and Protaras beaches have a Seatrac?
The Deputy Ministry of Tourism's July 2026 list gives a Seatrac at Vathia Gonia, Agia Triada, Louma (Golden Coast), Vrysi C and Vyzakia. Seatrac and floating wheelchairs are free to use.
How many Blue Flag beaches are there in Ayia Napa and Protaras?
On the CYMEPA list reported in July 2026, Ayia Napa had 13 and Paralimni-Protaras 14, a total of 27 out of 46 in Cyprus. Ayia Napa Marina also holds a Blue Flag.
Useful links
Sources (15)
- Cyprus Mail – 46 beaches, two marinas currently flying Blue Flag (17 July 2026)
- Politis – Blue Flag beaches in Cyprus 2026: the full guide to all 46 award-winning shores
- Politis – Four Blue Flags awarded to Larnaca beaches in 2026 (ceremony at Nissi Beach)
- Deputy Ministry of Tourism – Accessible Beaches 2026 (PDF, revised July 2026)
- Visit Cyprus – Nissi Beach (Blue Flag)
- Visit Cyprus – Makronisos Beach (Blue Flag)
- Visit Cyprus – Landa Beach (Blue Flag)
- Visit Cyprus – Vathia Gonia Beach (Blue Flag)
- Visit Cyprus – Agia Thekla Beach (Blue Flag)
- Visit Cyprus – Ammos tou Kambouri Beach (Blue Flag)
- Visit Cyprus – Konnos Bay (Blue Flag)
- Visit Cyprus – Protaras Beach (Fig Tree Bay) (Blue Flag)
- Visit Cyprus – Agia Triada Beach (Blue Flag)
- Cyprus Mail – How to visit Ayia Napa's mythical underwater museum (8 August 2021)
- Cyprus Mail – Best beaches in Cyprus, from golden sands to hidden coves (October 2025)
